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Texas Star Played Sweet 16 Game With Broken Foot
Jordan Pope revealed he suffered a complete foot break just minutes before the Longhorns' previous game.
Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:51pm
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Texas Longhorns star Jordan Pope played in the Sweet 16 matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers despite suffering a broken foot in the team's previous game against Gonzaga. Pope said the training staff helped manage the injury, which he revealed was a complete break, and he was determined to play in the tournament game in his home state of California.
Why it matters
Pope's gutsy performance in the face of a serious injury highlights the incredible dedication and toughness of NCAA athletes, who often play through pain to represent their schools. His story also underscores the important role of athletic trainers in enabling injured players to compete at the highest level.
The details
Pope said he broke his foot with five minutes remaining in Texas' previous game against Gonzaga. Despite the injury, he was able to log 33 minutes against Purdue, scoring 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting while adding two rebounds and one assist. He credited the Texas training staff for putting him in a position to play, noting that the injury couldn't worsen and was more about managing pain tolerance.
- With five minutes left against Gonzaga, Pope broke his foot.
- Pope revealed the extent of his injury after the Purdue game.
The players
Jordan Pope
A star player for the Texas Longhorns who revealed he played in the Sweet 16 game against Purdue with a broken foot.
Trey Kaufman-Renn
A forward for the Purdue Boilermakers who tipped in the game-winning shot against Texas in the final seconds.
Braden Smith
The Purdue player who missed the shot that Kaufman-Renn tipped in for the game-winning points.
What they’re saying
“Five minutes left against Gonzaga, I broke my foot. Complete break. So, it was definitely tough.”
— Jordan Pope, Texas Longhorns Player
“Credit to our training staff, Warren and our doctor, for giving me a chance to even be questionable.”
— Jordan Pope, Texas Longhorns Player
“I had nothing to lose. I'm back at home playing in the Sweet 16.”
— Jordan Pope, Texas Longhorns Player
What’s next
The Longhorns' season has come to an end, but Pope's inspiring performance will be remembered as one of the gutsiest efforts of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
Jordan Pope's determination to play through a broken foot for his team in the Sweet 16 is a testament to the incredible competitive spirit and toughness of NCAA athletes. His story highlights the important role of athletic trainers in enabling injured players to compete at the highest level.
